computer problem

[Richard Lowe]

The administrator account is always there on XP, even if you only create one user as an administrator when you set up the OS. Not sure how Vista deals with it, I think it's still there but more hidden than XP.

[millzy]

no way do you geeks get laid

[Southwell]

Originally Posted by millzy

no way do you geeks get laid

Chicks love it.

[Richard Lowe]

Originally Posted by millzy

no way do you geeks get laid

[Dunc]

Originally Posted by Southwell

Ive done it a few times. You hit ctrl-alt and then hit delete twice and you get a domain logon type screen, type in administrator and it lets you in.... Wont work on a lot of machines though i wouldn't have thought.
Don't think it works on Vista though.

I'll have to remember that

Originally Posted by Richard Lowe

The administrator account is always there on XP, even if you only create one user as an administrator when you set up the OS. Not sure how Vista deals with it, I think it's still there but more hidden than XP.

That does ring bells Richard (I've been using Vista for around 9 months now so XP is becoming a dim and distant memory!). I have managed to find the "hidden" accounts in Vista under Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Local Users and Groups (I guess the same/similar will be true in XP).

Originally Posted by Southwell

Chicks love it.

That's what I thought

[jim76]

right, quick update.
got home, fired up the PC, came to the safe mode screen, chose last working config and pressed enter. Bob's your uncle, boots up to the blue screen, choose my profile and it all loads up fine - ruling out the corrupt windows issue i guess.

then, couple of minutes later - poof, shuts off no warning. I'm guessing this brings me back to the hardware overheating issue. Any ideas how i can monitor the internal temperature to see if it keeps rising? any idea what the temp should be ideally, room temp?

cheers

[Southwell]

What processor is it?

On startup enter the bios and then hardware monitor (or something like that)
I wouldn't wanna see the cpu going over 50-60.

[Fiddybux]

Try resetting BIOS defaults, but I'd say it's PSU failure or mobo.

Hardware is up the spout. No expensive though if it's either really.

[jim76]

spec, jeez, think it was an AMD Athlon 64 3500mhz (about 4 years old)

i'll try and open up the case and check out the cpu fan etc to see if anythings not working

[DCM]

go into the bios and leave it there, if it don't crash, then it is an OS fault or a HDD fault.

[Richard Lowe]

Originally Posted by jim76

spec, jeez, think it was an AMD Athlon 64 3500mhz (about 4 years old)

i'll try and open up the case and check out the cpu fan etc to see if anythings not working

They produced almost no heat, it should no go much over 40-45c even with the standard cooler.

[Southwell]

Originally Posted by DCM

go into the bios and leave it there, if it don't crash, then it is an OS fault or a HDD fault.

It can be a loading fault, which wouldn't trigger it there.
Personally i would buy a cheap PSU and try that, make sure they accept refunds though.

[DCM]

but if he got three versions available for booting up on the OS selection screen, my first port of call would be to delete partitions and reinstall a fresh copy of Windows before I go spending money.

It is loading fault, but I would think it is OS based fault first not hardware.

[jim76]

ok, more feedback

booted up and went into the bios to monitor the temps. CPU was 38 deg. Motherboard was 29. PC then shut down while still in bios. guess it's power supply then?

[Southwell]

You doing the nat this w'end? I might have an old one kicking about that you could test if it's gone or not.

[DCM]

power supply could be it, if not, mobo or case switch

[jim76]

yeah, i will be there. i do have a brand new cheap 450w one knocking around that i planned to convert for charging cells. not sure i'd be confident in swapping them over though! i'll have to chat up one of the IT guys at work!

[Southwell]

Just unplug the big connector from the motherboard and the 4 pin one (normally by the processor), connect the same ones from the new psu. Plug in the power cable to the hard drive and fire'r up! Just plug it in without removing the old one, being careful not to touch any live bits on the psu.